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Liam Casey

Playoff Preview

Eastern Conference Preview

(3) BUFFALO VERSUS (6) BOSTONBuffalo rode the spectacular goaltending of Ryan Miller to the Northeast Division crown, which the Bruins won last season. And this series will come down to goaltending. Ryan Miller finished second in GAA and save percentage in the league. Boston's Tuukka Rask finished first in both, although Miller played 24 more games.

WHO'S HOTRyan Miller has been unquestionably hot all season and is the biggest reason why Buffalo won the Northeast Division. He will have to keep it up if the Sabres hope to make some noise in the post-season. Thomas Vanek missed six games with a groin injury, and then returned to score five goals in his first two games back. It was a disappointing season for the big winger, who scored 27 goals, down from 40 the year before, but he has the skill set to score in bunches. Derek Roy has seven goals and 12 points in the past eight games.

WHO'S NOT Raffi Torres hasn't scored in 13 games with the Sabres after collecting 19 in 60 games with the Blue Jackets earlier this season. Other than rookie Tyler Myers, the Sabres don't have an offensive threat from the blueline.

NotesDrew Stafford suffered an apparent concussion Saturday against the Senators and is questionable for the start of the playoffs. Tim Connolly hasn't played since March 26 because of a lower body injury that's believed to be a foot ailment. Jochen Hecht missed the last three games with an upper body injury.

WHO'S HOTDavid Krejci has five points, all assists, in the past five games. He will have to be at his creative best as the Bruins are without master playmaker Marc Savard. Zdeno Chara has four assists in the past four games and will be the most important Bruin in the playoffs.

WHO'S NOT Michael Ryder had two goals Sunday, but had just one in the previous 22 games. Patrice Bergeron has just two points in the last five games ï¿½ do not expect a lot of production from him in the post-season as he'll be asked to be the top defensive forward against Buffalo.

NotesMarc Savard remains sidelined indefinitely with a serious concussion and won't be playing hockey for a while. Dennis Seidenberg is out until June after undergoing surgery on his arm to repair a lacerated tendon. Andrew Ference is battling a troublesome groin, but should be ready to start the post-season. Mart Stuart is out for the first two games of the playoffs after undergoing surgery on his left pinkie last week.

(4) PITTSBURGH VERSUS (5) OTTAWAThis will be the third playoff meeting between Pittsburgh and Ottawa in the last four seasons. They split the first two matchups. The Senators suffered a big blow to their scoring depth when they lost Alexei Kovalev for the season with a knee injury. The enigmatic forward still has the ability to take over games, but that won't be an option now. As good as Pittsburgh is, they go as Sidney Crosby goes. Crosby had to carry the Penguins late in the season as Evgeni Malkin suffered through injuries and poor play. The Penguins will need veterans like Bill Guerin and Alexei Ponikorovsky to step up to take pressure off the Crosby and Malkin.The Senators, now one of the grittiest teams in the league, will try to beat up the Penguins. They'll throw Anton Volchenkov, Chris Phillips and Andy Sutton like wrecking balls at the Pittsburgh forwards.

WHO'S HOTSidney Crosby is always on, but he's been especially torrid of late with 13 points in the past five games. Sergei Gonchar has six points in the last five games after missing a few with a serious flu.

WHO'S NOT Prior to Sunday's game, Evgeni Malkin had just six points in the previous nine games and has been hampered by the flu and a foot injury since the Olympics. He did collect two goals and four points in the season finale ï¿½ perhaps Malkin is just waiting for the post-season to pounce. Alexei Ponikarovsky had just two goals in 16 games since coming to Pittsburgh from Toronto at the deadline. Jordan Staal has just one point, an assist, in the past seven games.

NotesChris Kunitz hasn't played since April 3 because of a shoulder injury. He is expected to return to the lineup for the post-season, however. Ponikarovsky will return from a two-game suspension for the start of the playoffs. Matt Cooke is questionable for the first game with a suspected concussion while Brooks Orpik left Saturday's game with the dreaded lower body injury ï¿½ although it sounds like he'll be fine.

WHO'S HOTJason Spezza has eight goals and 19 points in the last 12 games and is looking like the superstar he was a few seasons ago. Daniel Alfredsson has three goals and 17 points in the last 13 games and is a strong playoff performer. Rookie defender Erik Karlsson has four goals and 12 points in the last 10 games. Karlsson will have trouble defensively against the Penguins, so his ice-time may be limited to power-play duty, but he still has the potential to put up good points in that role.

WHO'S NOT Mike Fisher has three goals and one assist with a horrendous minus-6 rating in the past nine games. Rookie Peter Regin has just one point in his past four games after collecting four goals and one assist in his previous five games. His spot on the top line will be temporary if he struggles early in the post-season.

NotesAlexei Kovalev is out for the playoffs with a torn ACL injury. Filip Kuba is out for a month after undergoing back surgery in early April. Milan Michalek is pointless in two games since returning from a knee injury.

(1) WASHINGTON VERSUS (8) MONTREAL

The Capitals ran away with the league this year with 121 points. They have the best line in the league with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin, although coach Bruce Boudreau will often drop Semin to the second line to balance the attack and use Mike Knuble in his place. Washington plays similar to the run-and-gun Oilers of the 1980's and seem to win games 6-5 rather than 2-1.

The Canadiens have the second-best power play in the league ï¿½ second to Washington ï¿½ and have the wheels to skate with the Capitals. But that's where the Canadiens matchups stop. They don't have the defensive depth to contain the Capitals and Andrei Markov will probably be playing half-a-game. Look for Alex Ovechkin to play like a caged gorilla recently released into the wild as he tries to make up for the Russian Olympic letdown.

The top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin is always hot as is Norris Trophy candidate Mike Green. Look for Bruce Boudreau to split the top line up to open the playoffs, but they'll be reunited throughout the post-season to keep opponents off-balance. Mike Knuble, who'll likely take Semin's spot on the top line, is heating up with two goals and four points in the last three games. His grinding game and net-play will be critical to Washington's success, especially if the big guns get shut down.

WHO'S NOT Brooks Laich had a six-game point streak at the end of March, but has just three points in six games in April. Laich is a legitimate scoring threat with 25 goals and 59 points in 78 games this season. He doesn't have to catch fire, but if he could score a few goals in support of the big three, that will help the Capitals immensely.

NotesTyler Sloan is out with an upper body injury, but he should be ready for the start of the playoffs. Milan Jurcina is a little further away after undergoing a double hernia surgery in early March ï¿½ he should return some time in the first round, but won't be ready for the start. Brendan Morrison is without a point in two games since returning from a groin injury that kept him sidelined for six games.

WHO'S HOTScott Gomez has three points in the last two games. He is Montreal's wild card with the speed to offset the opposition and the creativity to make opponents pay. But Gomez also has the propensity to skate himself in circles and take himself out of position. Andrei Markov has four points in the last two games and is, simply, Montreal's best player. He will be assigned the task of trying to slow down fellow Russians Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.

WHO'S NOT Starting netminder Jaroslav Halak has lost three straight games heading into the post-season. Could the Habs turn to Carey Price after giving up on him down the stretch? Michael Cammalleri has no goals since returning from a knee injury 12 games ago. Andrei Kostitsyn has just three goals in the last 21 games. Tomas Plekance has just two points, both goals, in the past six games.

NotesGlen Metropolit is out until mid-May with a serious shoulder injury. Paul Mara is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in March.

(2) NEW JERSEY VERSUS (7) PHILADELPHIADespite winning the Jennings trophy for the fewest goals allowed in the league, this isn't the same Devils team. Yes, they are great defensively under head coach Jacques Lemaire, but they have two legitimate game-breakers in Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. And they still have Martin Brodeur between the pipes.

The Flyers struggled this season, which was exacerbated by the rash of injuries to their goalies. They still have the firepower up front and the defensive pressure on the blueline to cause trouble, but they'll need Brian Boucher to get hot between the pipes. Other than in goal, the Flyers match up well with New Jersey.

It will be a tough, hard-fought series, but the Devils will take this in seven.

WHO'S HOTZach Parise is a reliable point-producer, but Ilya Kovalchuk is either pistol-hot or liquid-nitrogen cold. He hasn't looked completely comfortable since arriving in New Jersey in February and has played with numerous linemates, but he's still dangerous and should remain a top pick in playoff pools. He has six points in the last six games, but was held pointless in three of those games. Dainius Zubrus has two goals and six points in the last four games and has looked good on a line with Parise and Travis Zajac.

WHO'S NOT Before Saturday's big game in which Zajac collected three assists, the center had just two points in the previous eight games. Captain Jamie Langenbrunner has zero points in the last six games. Brian Rolston has just one point in the past six games.

NotesThe Devils are a healthy crew, which is an important factor in the playoffs.

WHO'S HOTMike Richards has three goals in the last three games. Daniel Briere has three points in the last three games, but more importantly, he has some jump back in his step. Claude Giroux has two goals and five points in the last six games and scored a huge shootout goal with the weight of a playoff appearance on his shoulders Sunday against Henrik Lundqvist. That confidence will help his game in the post-season.

WHO'S NOT Jeff Carter has just one point in the past four games, but did return from a fractured foot two games ago. Chris Pronger has just one point in the last five games. Scott Hartnell has moved back to the ice age with just three goals in the last 36 games. Simon Gagne has just one point, an assist, in the last six games.

NotesRay Emery is out for the season after undergoing hip surgery and Michael Leighton is out another month with a high ankle sprain. Another goalie, Johan Backlund is day-to-day with a groin injury. Depth forward Jared Ross is day-to-day with a suspected concussion.

(3) BUFFALO VERSUS (6) BOSTONBuffalo rode the spectacular goaltending of Ryan Miller to the Northeast Division crown, which the Bruins won last season. And this series will come down to goaltending. Ryan Miller finished second in GAA and save percentage in the league. Boston's Tuukka Rask finished first in both, although Miller played 24 more games.

WHO'S HOTRyan Miller has been unquestionably hot all season and is the biggest reason why Buffalo won the Northeast Division. He will have to keep it up if the Sabres hope to make some noise in the post-season. Thomas Vanek missed six games with a groin injury, and then returned to score five goals in his first two games back. It was a disappointing season for the big winger, who scored 27 goals, down from 40 the year before, but he has the skill set to score in bunches. Derek Roy has seven goals and 12 points in the past eight games.

WHO'S NOT Raffi Torres hasn't scored in 13 games with the Sabres after collecting 19 in 60 games with the Blue Jackets earlier this season. Other than rookie Tyler Myers, the Sabres don't have an offensive threat from the blueline.

NotesDrew Stafford suffered an apparent concussion Saturday against the Senators and is questionable for the start of the playoffs. Tim Connolly hasn't played since March 26 because of a lower body injury that's believed to be a foot ailment. Jochen Hecht missed the last three games with an upper body injury.

WHO'S HOTDavid Krejci has five points, all assists, in the past five games. He will have to be at his creative best as the Bruins are without master playmaker Marc Savard. Zdeno Chara has four assists in the past four games and will be the most important Bruin in the playoffs.

WHO'S NOT Michael Ryder had two goals Sunday, but had just one in the previous 22 games. Patrice Bergeron has just two points in the last five games ï¿½ do not expect a lot of production from him in the post-season as he'll be asked to be the top defensive forward against Buffalo.

NotesMarc Savard remains sidelined indefinitely with a serious concussion and won't be playing hockey for a while. Dennis Seidenberg is out until June after undergoing surgery on his arm to repair a lacerated tendon. Andrew Ference is battling a troublesome groin, but should be ready to start the post-season. Mart Stuart is out for the first two games of the playoffs after undergoing surgery on his left pinkie last week.

(4) PITTSBURGH VERSUS (5) OTTAWAThis will be the third playoff meeting between Pittsburgh and Ottawa in the last four seasons. They split the first two matchups. The Senators suffered a big blow to their scoring depth when they lost Alexei Kovalev for the season with a knee injury. The enigmatic forward still has the ability to take over games, but that won't be an option now. As good as Pittsburgh is, they go as Sidney Crosby goes. Crosby had to carry the Penguins late in the season as Evgeni Malkin suffered through injuries and poor play. The Penguins will need veterans like Bill Guerin and Alexei Ponikorovsky to step up to take pressure off the Crosby and Malkin.The Senators, now one of the grittiest teams in the league, will try to beat up the Penguins. They'll throw Anton Volchenkov, Chris Phillips and Andy Sutton like wrecking balls at the Pittsburgh forwards.

WHO'S HOTSidney Crosby is always on, but he's been especially torrid of late with 13 points in the past five games. Sergei Gonchar has six points in the last five games after missing a few with a serious flu.

WHO'S NOT Prior to Sunday's game, Evgeni Malkin had just six points in the previous nine games and has been hampered by the flu and a foot injury since the Olympics. He did collect two goals and four points in the season finale ï¿½ perhaps Malkin is just waiting for the post-season to pounce. Alexei Ponikarovsky had just two goals in 16 games since coming to Pittsburgh from Toronto at the deadline. Jordan Staal has just one point, an assist, in the past seven games.

NotesChris Kunitz hasn't played since April 3 because of a shoulder injury. He is expected to return to the lineup for the post-season, however. Ponikarovsky will return from a two-game suspension for the start of the playoffs. Matt Cooke is questionable for the first game with a suspected concussion while Brooks Orpik left Saturday's game with the dreaded lower body injury ï¿½ although it sounds like he'll be fine.

WHO'S HOTJason Spezza has eight goals and 19 points in the last 12 games and is looking like the superstar he was a few seasons ago. Daniel Alfredsson has three goals and 17 points in the last 13 games and is a strong playoff performer. Rookie defender Erik Karlsson has four goals and 12 points in the last 10 games. Karlsson will have trouble defensively against the Penguins, so his ice-time may be limited to power-play duty, but he still has the potential to put up good points in that role.

WHO'S NOT Mike Fisher has three goals and one assist with a horrendous minus-6 rating in the past nine games. Rookie Peter Regin has just one point in his past four games after collecting four goals and one assist in his previous five games. His spot on the top line will be temporary if he struggles early in the post-season.

NotesAlexei Kovalev is out for the playoffs with a torn ACL injury. Filip Kuba is out for a month after undergoing back surgery in early April. Milan Michalek is pointless in two games since returning from a knee injury.

Liam Casey is a senior hockey writer for Rotoworld. He has also written for Toronto Life and the Ottawa Citizen. He once selected Alexandre Daigle in a keeper league but has learned much since then. He also runs BusterAvenue.com, like The Onion, but worse.Email :Liam Casey